Darby Hendrickson Settles Into Coaching Job
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Darby Hendrickson's career has had more twists and turns than a mountain road. He has gone from hockey player, to broadcaster, to coach where he is now part of Todd Richards staff with the Minnesota Wild.
"I'm elated, I'm thrilled ... and it's humbling because I how unique of an opportunity this is," said Hendrickson, Minnesota Wild Assistant Coach.
Hendrickson has an impressive hockey resume. He was Mr. Minnesota Hockey in 1991. He skated for the Gophers, was part of the 1994 USA Olympic team and played 14 seasons in the NHL, including four with the Wild.
Hendrickson has had a charmed career. The kid who began skating in Twin Cities rinks as a youngster, now gets a chance to try and coach-up the Wild at Minnesota's most iconic arena, the Xcel Energy Center.
"To me it's the chance of a lifetime -- the chance of a lifetime to be in the National Hockey League, to be in your home town and learn. And I think that's something I'm truly excited to do, learn and see how this staff operates," said Hendrickson.
Hendrickson has a high hockey IQ, but knows it will take time to earn respect from Wild players because no one instantly morph's into a successful coach.
"I have a lot to learn, but it's the same mindset. You want to earn that respect, you want to learn, you want to listen. I think you earn an opportunity to speak in time and I have similar feeling of playing, but I'm just not playing," he said.
